Leasing in Bali

[Kochie]

I know there are a few threads regarding this, but I would just like to try and clarify things if people don't mind helping me!
We are not moving to Bali yet ( unfortunately) but we are planning to as soon as we can. I have done as much research as we can with the Internet but I do understand a lot of the villas/ houses are not advertised on line and you need to ask around.
Do most of you feel this is the best way to go about it;

Arrive in Bali with pre booked accomodation, perhaps a week? Or two?

Once on the ground in the area that we like, ( north of Sanur) then start looking around and asking around for a place to lease? Are ther generally many to choose from.
Are villas better then houses and do most expats stay in gated or secure villas? Do many of you live in villas that are not in secure communities.

I can see there are varying opinions about using an agent and I think due to our lack of experience we would use an agent to start with.
I see that at least a years rent will be paid in advance. Can anyone advise what documents or paper work we need to check. Eg : how do we check the person leasing the house owns is. What documents do we get to prove we have leased it for the year - or whatever it is.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Ps. A bit of info on us, is it will be just me and my husband moving. Probably on a retirement visa as he is nearly 55.

[phil170258]

Secure communities?

Hey, it's Bali not South Africa. Or even Jakarta!

I know of groups of villas that have a single entrance with sec. guards but these are nothing like what they have in Jakarta. And these get burgled too despite all the security guards.

I personally wouldn't ever live in such a place, to me they're like gilded cages. You're cut off from a lot of what is great about Bali and that is the street life.

I don't want to sound critical but you seem very anxious about security. Can I ask what the attraction of Bali is for you?

As for leasing etc it can seem very loose when you come from Aus with all its regulations (and admittedly safeguards) but once you work it out it's fine. Most of the time if you're leasing a villa (and trust me it's a villa you're looking at) you'll be dealing with another Westerner anyway

Definitely book something for a month or so and take your time to look around.

Phil

[Kochie]

No I am not particularly anxious about security or anything else for that matter, but as is often said on this forum, - enquire, research, find out what you can. That is what I am trying to do. From people that are actually living there rather then just visiting.
I first visited Bali in 1985 and have continued to visit it since then. When I arrive there, I feel like I am home. I love the place and the people.
Exactly what did I say that makes me anxious about security rather then just asking for advise?
Perhaps my wording was wrong when I said gated communities. I was not sure of the correct term.

I have been looking at villas, that is what I thought was best, but I didn't want to assume that when I have only visited and not lived there. So I asked the question.
Thanks

[pollyanna]

I know there are a few threads regarding this, but I would just like to try and clarify things if people don't mind helping me!
We are not moving to Bali yet ( unfortunately) but we are planning to as soon as we can. I have done as much research as we can with the Internet but I do understand a lot of the villas/ houses are not advertised on line and you need to ask around.
Do most of you feel this is the best way to go about it;

Arrive in Bali with pre booked accomodation, perhaps a week? Or two?

This is definitely the best way to go. A week probably isn’t enough time but in two or three weeks you’ll either find what you’re looking for or be well prepared for your next trip.

Once on the ground in the area that we like, ( north of Sanur) then start looking around and asking around for a place to lease? Are ther generally many to choose from.
Are villas better then houses and do most expats stay in gated or secure villas? Do many of you live in villas that are not in secure communities.

We live in a private home and wouldn’t have it any other way. This just suits us. Some people would rather live in a group of houses but to me that sort of defeats the reason for moving here. We love our village. Yes, you’ll find plenty of choices for leasing or buying.

I can see there are varying opinions about using an agent and I think due to our lack of experience we would use an agent to start with.

I am personally biased against agents based on our experience. We ended up in a better situation for less money by following the guidance and advice of a Balinese friend. The agents weren’t working for their clients of for us. They, of course, were only looking for how to make the most money in the quickest way.

I see that at least a years rent will be paid in advance. Can anyone advise what documents or paper work we need to check. Eg : how do we check the person leasing the house owns is. What documents do we get to prove we have leased it for the year - or whatever it is.

While we built our house we paid for our house (in a homestay) for a year in advance. Too simple. We gave Pak Oka the cash. He gave us one of those little 10 X 20cm receipts and we moved in. Yes, there are possible problems with this but they are only major if you make them that way. Discuss whether phone, gas bottles, internet, etc. are covered if you’re in a homestay. In a stand alone home just accept that any repairs that need doing while you’re there will have to be handled by you.

Thanks in advance for any responses.
Ps. A bit of info on us, is it will be just me and my husband moving. Probably on a retirement visa as he is nearly 55.

I’ll send you a PM. (Guys, sorry this is formatted funny but it’ll still work.)

[Kochie]

thanks again, very helpful. I would LOVE to build, but of course we cant own land in Bali, so cant do that.
we would prefer a private home or villa, so its good to know that is what many expats do.
cheers

[Fred2]

If you are planing retirement you will need to use a agent to sponsor you.
I have a friend that has a villa just behind bingtang supermarket, 6 villas in the complex all with walls & guards at the entrance. Bali is a good place to visit but I would not want to live there, too many tourist. then again the north is not too bad.
I live in Surabaya & the thinking here is, the more expensive the area the more guards. We have a house, there are 52 in the cluster & maybe 100 clusters in the estate all with high walls & guards. Don't have any expats live close by, only rich locals Strange how the locals with no money come by the bus loads on the weekend to look at all the big homes.

[Fred2]

thanks again, very helpful. I would LOVE to build, but of course we cant own land in Bali, so cant do that.
we would prefer a private home or villa, so its good to know that is what many expats do.
cheers

You can lease the land & build your own home & that is legal.

[Kochie]

You can lease the land & build your own home & that is legal.

I hadn't thought about that. Where does that leave you when the lease is up. Is the lease for the land normally 25yrs. That is a great option. Thanks
Not an option I would do to start with, but certainly once I have been there and am more familiar with things.

[gilbert de jong]

one can 'lease' land for 25 years with consecutive extensions upto 99 years

[sherm]

I hadn't thought about that. Where does that leave you when the lease is up. Is the lease for the land normally 25yrs. That is a great option. Thanks
Not an option I would do to start with, but certainly once I have been there and am more familiar with things.

Things can change drastically in 25-years time.

Does the owner of the property say 'well thank you for the nice house on my property now go away'? Our idea is to outright rent because if things in the area change for the worse, we can move elsewhere. OR lease a property and build cheaply (bamboo) so that in the end we have had our use of the dwelling and it's no big deal to leave it.

Our tastes I am sure not typical. No villa, horizon pool or that. Open bamboo construction mainly very traditional Bali style. Maybe one room with air conditioning for wife.